STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL SUPERVISION AND REENTRY The Ohio

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL SUPERVISION AND REENTRY The Ohio Parole Board’s implementation of Select Strategies Presented by: Cynthia Mausser Chair

The 13 strategies 1. Define Success as Recidivism Reduction and Measure Performance: 2. Tailor Conditions of Supervision 3. Adopt Risk Reduction & Behavior Change Strategies Measure Performance by reintegration outcome Realistic, Relevant & Research-Based Focus Resources on Higher Risk Offenders

The 13 Strategies, cont’d 4. Frontload Supervision Resources � Begin case planning in the institution � Concentrate resources in the first few days & weeks 5. Implement Earned Discharge � Provide incentives to meet case-specific goals 6. Supervise Offenders in their Communities � Organize caseloads by neighborhood

The 13 Strategies, cont’d 7. Engage Partners to Expand Intervention Capacity � Partner with other community organizations 8. Assess Criminal Risk and Need Factors � Use a reliable instrument and link to case plan 9. Balance Surveillance and Treatment in Case Plans � Combine surveillance and treatment

The 13 Strategies, cont’d 10. Involve Offenders in the Supervision Process 11. Engage Informal Social Controls 12. Incorporate offenders’ support networks into supervision Use Incentives and Rewards 13. Offender is active participant in development of case plan Use positive reinforcement as supervision tool (4: 1) Respond to Violations with Swift & Certain Sanctions

Ohio Parole Board Developing a Strategic Plan Division of Parole and Community Services in Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction Comprised of Parole Board, Field Services, Bureau of Adult Detention, Bureau of Community Services and Office of Victim Services Deputy Director established Overriding Goal to reduce recidivism by 5% over a year Each section head was tasked with developing a Strategic Plan to support the overriding goal Guidelines were to adhere to risk/needs principles, engage family members & use positive reinforcement

Strategic Planning sessions Organized Key by Facilitator and Deputy Director management staff involved Focused on identifying 3 -5 attainable, realistic goals that would support overriding goal

Strategic Plan Final Product Implement standardized Parole Board info at orientation classes Promote supervision compliance through post release contacts with 25% of monthly parole releases Utilize risk/needs principles in decision making

Promote Supervision Compliance through Post Release Contacts Rationale: PBM rarely utilized historically as a positive supervision resource PBM rarely had the opportunity to experience success of offenders Change practice of offenders’ contact with PBM occurring only when returned to institution

Promote Supervision Compliance through Post Release Contacts Related Strategies : #3 Focus Resources on Higher Risk Offenders Contacts concentrated on high risk offenders #8 Assess Criminal Risk and Need Factors Utilize contact checklist that incorporates criminogenic needs #12 Use Incentives and Rewards PBM contact utilized to promote positive behavior and encourage compliance Tool to help support the 4: 1 positive contact ratio

Promote Supervision Compliance through Post Release Contacts Contact Implementation PBM met with Field Regional Administrator Contact types based on needs of Region Examples of contacts Office visits Community Re. Entry Management Team member Program meetings Halfway houses Tracking and sharing activities Discuss at monthly staff meetings PBM includes description of contacts in monthly report

Utilize Risk/Needs Principles in Decision Making Rationale Consider institutional programming efforts when imposing Special Conditions Credit offenders who complete institutional programs with removal of supervision programming requirement Ensure that criminogenic needs are being addressed when Hearing Officers conduct summonses with offenders who are engaging in violation behavior

Utilize Risk/Needs Principles in Decision Making Related Strategies #2 Tailor Conditions of Supervision Desire to have fewer, more meaningful conditions Overlapping and/or unnecessary conditions Remove conditions that merely convey information Examine reasons for imposing particular types of conditions, timing of conditions and consequences (especially financial burden) of imposing conditions Develop process for imposing Special Conditions

Tailor Conditions of Supervision Developed Workgroup and Charter Tasked with addressing problem areas of conditions and special conditions Membership included both Field and Parole Board Staff Work in Progress Currently, have reduced the number of conditions from 16 to 6 Suggested process for imposing Special Conditions PB will not impose SC if offender completed approved program as suggested in RAP #5 Implement Earned Discharge Field staff must seek PB approval to impose SC

Related Strategies #4 Frontload Supervision Activities Pilot Project with I Team unit: Interview conducted by PBPO at institution 30 days prior to release Risk Instrument completed Marital status, Education, Employment, Drug and Alcohol use, prior criminal history (arrests, convictions, supervision) Rated as Low, Low-Moderate, High

Frontload Supervision Activities Needs Instrument completed Ten Needs areas assessed No need, low need, moderate need, high need Moderate and high need areas identified Community resource information provided to offender to address need areas Information Provided to Supervising PO prior to release Beneficial information received by PO that would not have otherwise been shared Expansion plan Frontloading implemented statewide Offender will receive “credit” toward SAP for any RAP programs completed

Related Strategies #13 Respond to Violations with Swift and Certain Sanctions Sanction Grid developed and implemented in 2005 PBS is an option prior to revocation hearing No parameters in place for conducting summons Develop checklist that incorporates criminogenic needs When Hearing Officer addressing violation behavior needs should be addressed as well as a means for gaining supervision compliance

Conclusion Many of the concepts in the 13 Strategies can be implemented by Parole Boards Parole Board staff are supportive and enjoy participating in these new activities that emphasize the positive aspects of supervision and promote success Offenders receive information and support from additional resources

QUESTIONS?